Module 10: Understanding Hepatitis C, Screen 6 of 11

How Is HCV Transmitted?

Hepatitis C is much more contagious than HIV and can live outside the body for up to six weeks. Hepatitis C is transmitted by blood-to-blood contact.

counting on fingersCommon Ways HCV Can Be Transmitted

Also, there’s an image on this screen that I didn’t put it. It is a great image, but since Rachel didn’t have a chance to look at it (since it wasn’t on what I gave to Matt, she might have an issue with it. In particular, she is wanting to be sure that all the images we use are copyrighted.


  • Shared needles, syringes, tourniquets, cookers, water, and cottons (the most common means of transmission)
  • Shared needles, ink, and other equipment for tattooing and body piercing in settings without access to sterile tatooing or piercing equipment, such as prisons and jails.
  • Sexual contact involving blood or bleeding (for example, if fisting results in small anal tears and is then followed by unprotected anal sex)
  • Shared razors and toothbrushes
  • Accidental needlesticks in health care settings
  • Reuse of medical equipment in health care settings without proper sterilization



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